Inside linebacker prospects for Ravens in the 2022 draft are reviewed. Once again, the embedded table of contents guides you to individual player profiles. Players are listed in the round order in which I think the Ravens should consider them.
Previous position and other analyses can be found at these posts:
For defensive line prospects look here.
For edge defenders look here.
For defensive secondary prospects look here.
For offensive linemen look here.
And, for the Round One analysis look here.
Inside Linebacker Prospects
This is another area where the Ravens need help. After missing out on Bobby Wagner, the Ravens were forced to bring back Josh Bynes to play alongside the under-achieving Patrick Queen. Having apparently given up on Malik Harrison for any meaningful role (we’ll see if Harrison gets another real shot), the third interior linebacker right now is Kristian Welch. This is really an underwhelming group, and it would not surprise if the Ravens spend meaningful capital at the interior spot if they can find three-down talent. There is decent depth in this class. If the Ravens don’t draft from this group, they’ll be forced to look over some old-timers who remaine part of the unsigned free agent group.
Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd is 6’3, 237 lbs. from Utah. Lloyd’s biggest flaw so far has been one all too familiar for Ravens linebackers – he has a 12.5% career miss tackle rate, which only improved modestly in 2021 to 11.5%. But he brings all the tools you need to the table. He really became a three-downer in 2021. He is not a blazer for the position (ran a 4.66 forty – the 52nd percentile) but he brings all the needed physical tools, and he plays with aggressiveness and physicality.
He’s a stud in run defense, offering a stout anchor and playing very physical and running to the ball. He has shown the ability to shed blocks. He’s a better tackler in the box. Lloyd has been very effective in the backfield. He is agile enough to beat blockers but, like Patrick Queen, has had some issue correctly diagnosing plays early on, which I think accounts for some of the mis-tackles. And further to that point, he doesn’t sink his hips enough, in my view, in tackling, leaving him to rely on his ability to use his strength to wrap tacklers. He can over-run plays.
Lloyd has been an effective blitzer who has the quickness to avoid blockers. His pass coverage skills improved this year, but he must improve his man coverage recognition skills and in transitioning into coverage. Lloyd has been stronger in zone coverage where he shows a good ability to close windows. Lloyd is a heavy studier of film and it shows with his pre-snap play recognition and ability to adjust.
Now Lloyd has received glowing reports from many analysts. I think, at this point, some of it is over-hype. Lloyd is a very good college linebacker, make no mistake. But I don’t think Lloyd is a generational talent. He will almost definitely be on the board for the Ravens at pick 14. He is not worth that pick given the Ravens’ more glaring needs. I see him as Round 1 worthy, but much lower down the board. Round 1.
Nakobe Dean
Nakobe Dean is 5’11, 229 lbs. from Georgia. The issue with Dean is simply this: he is very undersized for an NFL linebacker, making one wonder how well he can hold up against NFL blockers who get to him at the second level. And we don’t really know from his college years because he was completely protected by Georgia’s massive round one defensive tackles. Although he was very stout in the passing game against plays in front of him, in the NFL Dean will be tasked with covering tight ends who bring much more size and physicality, and he will find himself on the short-end of many mis-matches.
I see a lot of Patrick Queen in Dean, though at this point Dean might be a better prospect; we’ll see. Dean is explosive and will chase with great closing speed all over the field. He is very quick to the QB and is a strong blitzer. He is instinctive on run plays and uses his quickness to shoot gaps. Like Queen, he frequently comes in too hot, especially in the open field, such that he misses tackles. This is a red flag for me, as smaller faster players who can’t quickly get into a good strike position in the open field actually wind up as liabilities since they can’t finish on the tasked assignment.
The problem for the Ravens in considering Dean is that he is too much Patrick Queen in the sense that he fits best in Queen’s weakside position and it’s hard to imagine the Ravens spending first round capital on that spot again, even if Dean winds up the better player. Dean has shown a better ability than Queen in pass coverage, but I would not anoint Dean as a great pass defender; he isn’t. He’s better with zone responsibilities than in man. Dean does bring a higher football IQ. I know draft boards generally have Dean as a first rounder. I’m not so sure. But he definitely doesn’t fit at slot 14, and the Ravens should pass altogether. Round 2.
Quay Walker
Quay Walker is 6’4, 241 lbs. from Georgia. Walker is very athletic. This man can really tackle; he missed on less than 5% of his attempts in his career so he is incredibly reliable. As Ravens’ fans know, tackling reliability was a major shortcoming in the defense last year. Walker is a classic in-the-box linebacker who would play the MIKE with the Ravens.
Walker brings a great deal of range to his game. He would bring the downhill force that the Ravens thought they could get from Malik Harrison in the run game. This is a player who can take on bigger men, and shed them with his excellent play strength. He’s the type of player in this sense that the Ravens are missing. Walker can win in the running game with both power and quickness. His hands allow him to push past blockers. In the open field, unlike Patrick Queen, he gears down well in order to make the tackle.
Walker has decent play diagnosis skills, but this is a man who didn’t start a game until 2020 and is instincts could stand improvement. But he is smart. He is disciplined and moves well laterally with solid pursuit speed. Walker can stack at the point of attack and has a good repertoire to beat blocks, and is strong enough to beat on tight ends. He has very good grip power. Sometimes, Walker is over-aggressive and will over pursue. He has played a lot of special teams coverage.
Walker is an aggressive, physical player. He has shown an ability to match routes in the passing game though he lacks some route feel. Walker has shown an ability to man up against those tight ends and running backs. Walker is able to blanket short areas with his foot speed. His hips are loose enough to permit him to change direction fluidly and he shows good lateral twitch. Walker brings an excellent ability to drop quickly into coverage which would play very well with the way the Ravens utilize blitz disguises. He blitzes with fast aggressiveness. I see Walker as a solid, steady strong side defender who offers reasonable capability in the passing game to stay on the field for three downs. He should interest the Ravens. Round 2-3.
Chad Muma
Chad Muma is 6’3, 239 lbs. from Wyoming. Muma excelled in college averaging over 11 tackles per game, albeit never having played against a power-five team. He is tough in the run game where he brings outstanding instincts. He has also proven to be an excellent tackler in the open field. This guy does not miss tackles, although he sometimes comes in too high and gets himself knocked backwards. Muma can get engulfed and needs to improve his hand usage and his shedding skills, so he isn’t as effective at the line of scrimmage. And he has troubles with cut blocks.
Muma tested incredibly well at the combine with 90%+ percentile numbers in the bench, vertical jump and broad jump, and above-average time in the 40. There’s plenty to work with athletically. Muma winds up with more straight-line tendencies with average lateral range. This lack of range, and arguably deficient change of direction ability, is problematic in the NFL. He could also be more physical than he has proven to be so far.
Muma is an excellent processor though he too often bites on fakes. He is explosive to the quarterback when blitzing. He brings a very high football IQ, and his instincts allow him to get an edge against blockers. He’s tough. Muma has good drop range in pass coverage with the result that he gets into passing lanes underneath. He is not an outstanding man cover because he is not great at transitioning, though he’s done a good job reading quarterbacks.
Muma potentially offers a lot, including the upside of a three-down player. But he’s not a lock to get there. He’s coming from lesser competition, so there’s transition time involved here. But more importantly he isn’t quite the perfect fit for the Ravens. Unlike Quay Walker, he will tend to run around blockers instead of using power through them, and this is true whether it be guards or tight ends. Muma may be best suited as an off-ball linebacker, a position manned by Patrick Queen, which likely significantly reduces Muma’s appeal. I like the player, but I don’t see him as a great fit for the Ravens. He’s a round three talent, but doesn’t fit well on the Ravens’ board. Round 3.
Troy Anderson
Troy Anderson is 6’4, 235 lbs. from Montana State. Anderson did just about everything in college, playing running back, quarterback, and linebacker, and doing them all well. Unsurprisingly, Anderson is still developing as a linebacker and his technique and instincts need work. But he’s already been extremely effective, as he logged an amazing 67 combined (coverage and run) stops last year. He brings 4.42 speed (fastest linebacker at the Combine), true sideline-to-sideline. This is a player who is ascending and offers a high ceiling.
Anderson will chase down anyone and is naturally aggressive. He attacks with fire to fill gaps and, of course, his tackling ability needs refinement, particularly in wrapping. Anderson needs to improve his ability to shed blocks as he is not great at taking on blockers at the attack point. He lacks explosion in his hands, something that he must improve on. Anderson diagnoses well although there’s room for improvement. He’s already shown an ability not to bite on mis-directions. At this point Anderson is more effective on outside runs, where his able to take good angles and use his electric speed to close out. Anderson is very bright and was a finalist for the Academic Heisman.
Anderson is athletically gifted. He has untapped ability to be a blitzer. His motor runs very hot. Anderson has flashed well in coverage but is a little tight in his hips in playing man. He’s shown a good ability to carry tight. His change of direction ability is excellent. Anderson was a leader on his team. He lined up mostly in the box last year. Anderson should be an excellent special teams contributor. He showed very well at the Senior Bowl so I don’t think he will fly under the radar. If Anderson happens to slip to the fourth round, I’d grab him. Round 3.
Brian Asamoah
Brian Asamoah is 6’, 226 lbs. from Oklahoma. Another very small linebacker, the light bulb went on for Asamoah in 2021. He brings sideline to sideline speed and an attacking tackling style. He can make plays all over the field, including when dropping into space in coverage. Asamoah has outstanding burst. But his size is certainly an impediment, and he is easily engulfed, lacking the strength to shed or control the point of attack.
Asamoah’s diagnosing skills are just adequate, but if he sees it he’ll run to it immediately. A large number of Asamoah’s tackles were solo efforts, so he really brings it as a finisher. There’s a lot to like about his game, but for the Ravens, Asamoah would be playing Patrick Queen’s position, and I just don’t see them giving up on Queen at this point. So, I would be surprised if the Ravens drafted Asamoah. He’s a player I hope gets picked before linebackers who are better fits for the Ravens. Round 3.
Leo Chenal
Leo Chenal is 6’3, 250 lbs. from Wisconsin. Start off by noting that Chenal earned the third-highest run defense grade ever given by PFF for an off-ball linebacker. Chenal is the best tackler in this class. He is an absolute run-stuffing machine who is powerful and will finish. If he hits you, you’re down. He’s made to play downhill. And he has been very effective as a blitzer, earning an outstanding 91.8 pass rush grade from PFF as he recorded eight sacks.
What Chenal is not at this point is a cover linebacker. He wasn’t frequently tasked that way at Wisconsin, but was largely ineffective when he was, yielding 19 catches on 21 targets last year and an average of 10 yard per attempt. To be more effective he must improve his route recognition skills. Chenal’s fluidity and lateral agility is suspect ,and we simply have no proof of any ball skills in coverage.
Chenal is gifted athletically. He ran a 4.53 forty (87th percentile) and had a 97th percentile vertical jump and 95th percentile broad jump. Chenal is excellent at recognizing blocking schemes. He was in the backfield constantly last year (led the Big 10 in tackles for loss). Chenal plays with a very hot motor. He can play coverage on special teams.
What Chenal does he does well – a great run defender who could be used at the line on passing downs to attack the quarterback. He’s not Micah Parsons, but could be utilized in the same way. But because Chenal is not the most mobile or change of direction of linebackers, at this point he is a liability in coverage without a lot of upside in that respect. He could go as high as round 2 and I hope he does, but I don’t think he’s a great fit for the Ravens. Round 3.
Channing Tindall
Channing Tindall is 6’2, 230 lbs. from Georgia. Tindall is a toolsy player who never started at Georgia (though he was third this year in tackles). He is a top-end athlete who tested at an elite level. He not only tests extremely fast (ran a 4.47) but he plays that way too. He’s a fierce tackler and finishes well in the open field. He should be a solid blitzer in the NFL, as he was successful both on the edge and from the inside in college ( a very high pass-rush win rate). He’s known as a hard worker, and he plays coverage on special teams.
Now mind you Tindall played behind the elite Georgia defensive front, so we have to bear that in mind in the evaluation. His diagnosis skills improved with more playing time, and it showed at the Senior Bowl practices – his read-react was excellent. His pass coverage skills are suspect in man coverage, but he was not tasked there as much as we would like as he blitzed on almost a third of the pass plays he appeared in. He was targeted 17 times and only yielded 72 yards in coverage. This lack of experience makes his evaluation more challenging in coverage and certainly implies a real learning curve for Tindall. As a blitzer Tindall was quite effective displaying very good had usage and an ability to bend the edge.
In all, Tindall is not a complete player, but what he does well, he does very well. I like Tindall and so should the Ravens. But if the Ravens don’t focus on the inside linebacker position in the first three rounds, I don’t think Tindall will be available in the fourth. Round 3.
Christian Harris
Christian Harris is 6’4, 226 lbs. from Alabama. Harris is a player regarded as one of the top linebackers in the class, but I just don’t see it to this point. His play peaked out in his freshman season. His play recognition skills are not great. He winds up on the ground too much. His pass coverage skills are below average, so I don’t see him as a three-down player now, though his athletic skills suggest he should get there. Harris is an outstanding athlete, and he ran a sensational 4.44 forty and had a 99th percentile broad jump.
People say there’s not much he can’t offer, but I think of all the things he offers none of them are at an elite level. He’s another burner (and he can run with RBs and tight ends) who misses way too many tackles. Some will see him as a terrific athlete who needs to be coached up, but his diagnose skills have been deficient so I’m a little more skeptical. He doesn’t fit the Ravens given their current roster composition. I don’t rank him nearly as high as the mob, which has him as a second rounder. Harris is young (barely 21) so if the Ravens think they can get a lot more development from him, fine. But I wouldn’t draft him before round 4. Round 4.
JoJo Domann
JoJo Domann is 6’1, 228 lbs. from Nebraska. At Nebraska, Domann was utilized more like a slot corner than a linebacker. That’s the strength of his game – as a cover linebacker where he brings lots of experience. Domann will be 25 by the time the season starts, so he is likely maxed out at this point. But given his small stature, I don’t see him as being able to play on the interior where he didn’t play at all; and without any experience doing it, it’s just too far of a reach for the Ravens.
More complete linebackers are needed in the AFC North against Burrow, Watson, and the Steelers and Browns rushing attacks. He won’t last beyond the early part of Day 3 in all likelihood and, although the Ravens need a cover linebacker, Domann is just too one-dimensional in spite of the ease with which he fits there. Now, if the Ravens had a need at safety. . . But they don’t. Pass. Round 4.
Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith is 6’3, 250 lbs. from Penn State. Smith is just 21 and is athletically gifted but has not yet put it all together. He has old-style linebacker size with long arms, brings a lot of range and is fairly explosive. Smith is fast (ran a 4.52 forty). He has a lot of developing to do from the mental side of things. In that sense he is very raw. Smith is not instinctive. And as gifted as he is, his lack of solid processing shows up in a poor tackling rate as he was regularly out of control.
Smith also doesn’t bring the ferociousness you’d like to see in a man of his size. Given the historical complexities of the Ravens’ defensive schemes, I think Smith is too much of a project to take on. The Ravens should pass here. But they used a visit on him so it appears as if they have a level of interest in Smith. Round 6.
Darrian Beavers
Darrian Beavers is 6’4, 252 lbs. from Cincinnati. Beavers is another classic-body linebacker who is suited to play inside on first and second down. He is outstanding at shedding blocks, that’s his game. In the Ravens scheme, that is needed at times, but the Ravens prefer linebackers who are protected free to run to the ball. Beavers plays very disciplined against the run and has a high IQ identifying run schemes. He has some difficulty when running downhill as he sometimes comes in with poor balance, which NFL running backs will exploit.
I’m not sure Beavers offers much of anything on third down. Beavers just isn’t blessed with the ability to drop deeper into man coverage, where he likely would not hold up well. He is reasonably adept in zone coverage. He isn’t overly explosive sideline to sideline. Given his limitations, I don’t see any driving reason for the Ravens to have an interest in Beavers. Pass. Round 4.
Terrel Bernard
Terrel Bernard is 6’0, 224 lbs. from Baylor. Undersized, Bernard lacks necessary play strength. It shows up in his missed tackles (15.9% rate). Where he excels is in space where he shows excellent range and good explosion to the runner. He’s solid in the passing game with a good ability to diagnose routes. Bernard is smart and mirrors and transitions well. He lacks explosive hands and has difficulty locating blocks. He has an injury history to boot. A pure weakside linebacker candidate in the NFL, there’s little reason for the Ravens to have interest here. Bernard just isn’t enough a playmaker, and Patrick Queen will man the position in 2022. Pass. Round 5.
Devin Harper
Devin Harper is 6’2, 234 lbs. from Oklahoma State. The unheralded Harper, a sixth year senior, had a spectacular pro day which put him on the map. His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.13 was faster than all of the linebackers at the Combine. He had a 40.5” vertical which would’ve placed him second, and his 4.51 forty would’ve placed him fourth. His defensive coordinator called him the most athletic player he ever coached.
Harper played mainly on special teams and as a reserve until last season where he broke-out from nowhere. He played some edge rusher for OSU and was second on the team with 96 tackles and 61 solo tackles, along with eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss. With just 89 pass-rushing snaps he produced 39 pressures (a 39% pass-rush win rate which was first among all FBS defenders who had at least 30 pass-rush snaps), which included eight sacks, 13 hits and 18 hurries. He played very well in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. Also of note is that in the Oklahoma game he was tasked with spying on quarterback Caleb Williams, who he helped shut down as he hurried or tackled Williams on nine plays.
He’s been ignored by the major scouting services. The Ravens met with him recently. Harper is likely on their radar and is an interesting third day prospect. Round 5.
Aaron Hansford
Aaron Hansford is 6’2, 239 lbs. from Texas A&M. Hansford is athletic and fast (4.64 forty). He has good sideline to sideline range and is a good tackler who hits with power. He easily changes direction and has good agility. Hansford recognition skills and processing need to improve. He does not shed blockers as well as he should. He has the makings of a very good blitzer as he explodes into the backfield. Hansford’s cover recognition improved last year but he has further to go. Hansford has an injury history and is 24 years old. With these red flags, I think there is a marginal possibility at best that he’s on the Ravens’ radar, although he has some interesting upside and could certainly be a special teams candidate. Round 6.
Mike Rose
Mike Rose is 6’4, 245 lbs. from Iowa State. Rose is a pure in the box linebacker with limited range outside of it. He won’t offer much in pass defense and lacks the type of pursuit speed one would want (ran a 4.69). He’s a one-dimensional player who I don’t see as a potential starter at this point. There’s not much to get excited here. Pass. Round 6-7
Mike McFadden
Mike McFadden is 6’1, 240 lbs. from Indiana. McFadden offers some solid run defense and strong blitzing capability. A team captain for two years, he reads block development well and has strong hands that he uses well to defeat blocks. He has difficulty in space where he can get out-leveraged and is a bit stiff in his change in direction. This will be a problem in man coverage in the NFL. He has a relatively small tackling radius. McFadden is a solid special teams candidate and no more than a backup in the NFL in my view. Round 6-7.
Kyron Johnson
Kyron Johnson is 6’ 231 lbs. from Kansas. Obviously undersized for a linebacker, Johnson has some interesting traits that causes me to put him on the board. For one, he has blazing speed (ran a 4.40, which is sensational for a linebacker) and he plays that fast. His acceleration is immediate, and he sustains his speed. As a pass rusher he brings a reasonable repertoire to the table as he has quick countering moves but has not shown any spin moves and there’s no go-to move per se.
As an edge setter Johnson’s functional strength is average at best and he will likely struggle to free himself if he gets locked up. I don’t see him as being able to play in the trench. He’s more of a jackknife who has to play going towards the line of scrimmage; he almost never played in coverage. He brings power to his tackles and, perhaps most importantly, has a great deal of special teams coverage experience, where he should really fit in. Johnson is a tough tackler.
Johnson showed well at the Senior Bowl, where he easily got under the pads of first round tackle prospect Trevor Penning. He had a similar affect on another play against tackle prospect Abraham Lucas, throwing Lucas to the ground. I like what Johnson can bring and certainly can see him as a primary special teams’ contributor who can be utilized on defense. Round 6-7 or priority free agent.
Others
Damone Clark, 6’2, 239 lbs, LSU – No review, as Clark had recent spinal surgery and will miss the season.
Malcolm Rodriguez, 5’11, 232 lbs, Oklahoma State – Rodriguez just doesn’t look the part of an inside linebacker. He brings great instincts and transitions very well, but is not show great lateral burst and is a bit too much straight-line. He’s a team captain. Rodriguez uses excellent technique but has below average agility. His arms are very short which will be a problem for him separating from blockers. I just don’t see enough here to recommend him. Pass.
